- Agua Prieta Street – Watercolor
The world through the eyes of an artist is filled with hope and beauty. Even to his last days, sharing that vision was the life work of Wayne Smith Lanford, who passed away August 25, 2003. Born April 13, 1926 in Globe Arizona, Lanford’s roots are deeply embedded in Arizona history. His Father Samuel Ford Lanford, Sr., an early Representative from Greenlee County, was an Alderman from the city of Globe and worked for the Arizona Highway department when it was in its infancy. His mother Martha Francis Smith, a bookkeeper and business woman, home steaded a ranch in Cochise in 1914 and was instrumental in starting the first adobe, one-room church there.
Wayne was the youngest of four children in this pioneering family. Lanford, like so many young boys of his era, was eager to join the fight during World War ll. Before he was officially of age he began service first in the Third Marine Division, and then in the Fleet Marine Force. By the time of Lanford’s high school graduation he had already served his military term in Guam. After high school, Lanford studied at the prestigious Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles. There he married Vera Blanche Sheeks, started a family and lived in Pico Rivera. But the call of the Arizona desert must have been strong as he and his family moved to Phoenix in 1955.
In his professional life, Lanford was a Graphic Designer and Executive Art Director, working for such companies as Goodyear, Sperry Rand and A&M Associates, the in-house ad agency for U-Haul. There he met and later married Nikki Tillinghast. As Executive Art Director he infused his staff with a spirit that colleagues describe as creative, encouraging and gentle.
An entrepreneurial soul, Lanford also operated a company called Venture Advertising & Design. Being a man who loved telling a good story, Lanford enjoyed Toastmasters International and was a past president. Lanford’s strongest ambition was his painting. Watercolor was his form. Using both soft and brilliant tones of his medium he portrayed the beauty of the western world he loved. He was a past president and honorary lifetime member of Arizona Watercolor Association, a member and Chairman of Contemporary Watercolor Association and member of Arizona Artists Guild. He was known for his Watercolor Windows Workshops, where he inspired artists to paint with a new perspective.
Lanford is survived by his loving wife, Nikki Lanford of 21 years as well as his ex-wife, 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
